Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner called out Ferrari chairman John Elkann for his public criticism of Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Following a disappointing Brazilian Grand Prix, which resulted in the Maranello outfit slipping from second to fourth in the constructors' standings, Elkann told Sky Sports Italy that Hamilton and Leclerc needed to spend more time driving and less time talking.
"Brazil was a big disappointment," he said. "Looking at the Formula 1 championship, we can say that we have our mechanics, who are basically winning the championship with their performance and everything that has been done on the pitstops. Our engineers have undoubtedly improved the car. But when it comes to the rest, it is still not up to par.
"And surely we have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less. We still have important races ahead of us, and it is not impossible to achieve second place [in the constructors]. This is the most important message, because Bahrain itself is the demonstration that, when everyone at Ferrari works together, we win."
The comments have drawn reactions from many within the industry, including Steiner.
“He is allowed to critique because in the end he’s the boss, but I think he shouldn’t do that in public,” Steiner explained during an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast. “With Lewis, you know… But Charles, the guy puts his heart and soul into this, everything. What more do you want from Charles?
“It is not showing good leadership to say, ‘This guy is doing it right, the mechanics are good, the engineers are good, but you guys are bad’ in public. And no comment about Fred. I find it weird to say the least, to make a comment like this, from a person at that level of the company, the highest level. He doesn’t have to ask anybody to do it or not to do it.
“But if you have nothing good to say, say nothing in that position. Obviously, they won the sportscar championship, which congratulations, but you cannot compare the two championships. You still need to win it and I respect that they won it, it’s very cool, but in the end it’s a Balance of Performance championship. Formula 1 is a different kettle of fish.
“I’m not downgrading what they won in sportscars, but to say ‘see what it’s possible to do’… yeah… how about helping it to make it happen?”
The former Haas chief also called Elkann out for criticising drivers he had a part in signing.
“Also, who decided the drivers? Sometimes you have to look in the mirror. For sure he agreed to hire Lewis, that’s my understanding,” Steiner continued. “I critiqued this guy but I picked him, maybe I’ve done something wrong. If he made the wrong decision, if he feels so.
“I don’t know what they [Hamilton and Leclerc] said. I don’t get it. Maybe he was a little bit emotional when he said it, they won the [WEC] championship and didn’t even get in the points, both cars dropped out in Brazil, can you imagine how disappointed he was? Maybe he was a bit p***ed off.”
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